Container handling device



' Oct. 9, 1934. J. A. FoRsYTHE 1,976,014

CONTAINER HANDLING DEVICE Filed Maron 1, 1932 s sheets-sheet 1 BY i M ATTORNEY Oct. 9, 1934. n J. A FORSYTHE 1,976,014

CONTAINER HANDLING DEVICE Filed March l, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 M A TOR/VEY Oct. 9, 1934. J. A. FoRsYTHE 1,976,014

CONTAINER HANDLING DEVICE Filed Maron 1, 1932 :s sheets-sheet 5 ,5y Ez M A NORA/EY Patented Oct. 9, 1934 ll'dlll Claims.

This invention relates to a device for handling merchandise conJainers, the device being adapted to be employed in combination with a conventional crane or derriclr.

j In recent years there has been developed a new and highly convenientl type of merchandise container for the handling and transportation of such materials as brick, stone, lime and other bulk freight. These containers are constructed of lG metal, are generally rectangular in shape and are provided with suitable doors at the top for the reception of the materials to be transported therein and are also provided with a hopper arrangement at the bottom, consisting of a pair of doors hinged to opposite sides of the lower edge of the container, the latter doors, when closed, meeting at the center of the lower surface of the container.

The containers are provided with eyes at their upper corners for the reception of hooks for lifting and are adapted to be placed in a specially constructed open freight car oron a conventional gondola for shipment. When the container is unloaded from the car it is usually suspended, by means or a crane or derrick, above a truck or A platform and the lower doors opened, thereby allowing the merchandise to pass out. The doors are not permitted to completely open instantly but are rather opened gradually, thereby enabling the truck or platform to receive the contents by degrees, rather than to receive the instant shock of a one or two ton load. To accomplish this end the doors are normally held in a closed position by means of chains secured at their lower termini to either side of the lower doors, the chains passing upwards in a channeled member or conduit on the inner side of the container. The upper ends of the chains are secured to a hoist cable on the derrick handling the container, it being appreciated that in order to retain the lower doors ina closed position during transit through the air, the aforesaid hoist cable must be raised and lowered at precisely the same speed as the other hoist cable which carries the container. In other words, two hoisting cables must be employed for -45 the handling of the containers, one for hoisting the container proper and the other for supporting and maintaining the lower doors in a closed position, the latter cable, in effect, supporting the load within the container in much the same fashion as the closing line in clam shell operations.

Possibly the only objection to these otherwise convenient containers is in the enormous amount of head room required for the supporting cables below the point where the latter may pass over the sheave at the upper end of the derrick boom. This objection is particularly serious in view of the fact that a large number of the operations oi loading and unloading the containers are carried out in places where the head room is very limited and circumscribed, it being necessary in most ol these instances to raise and lower the boom on the crane, an expensive and time-consuming operation.

It is one of the ojects of the present invention to provide a novel structure for handling these containers, in combination with a crane or derrick, wherein the amount of head room required for operation will be reduced to an absolute minimum.

Another object of the invention is the provision lo of a merchandise container handling device which will provide means for constant equalization o the stress required between the cable for supporting the container and the cable for supporting the lower doors in a closed position. 23;,

The invention also contemplates the provision of an equalizing device for handling merchandise containers which is speedy and emcient in operation and convenient to handle.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a durable and inexpensive device of the kind above referred to which may be quickly secured in position on the cables oi any conventional crane or derrick having more than one cable drum, and may likewise be removed with equal facility.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be hereinafter specically pointed out, or will become apparent, as the specification proceeds.

With the above indicated objects in view, the invention resides in certain novel constructions and combinations, clearly described in the following specication and fully illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which latter show embodiments of the invention as at present preferred. l

In said drawings:

Fig. l is a front elevation of the embodiment and shows a conventional merchandise container carried thereby, the latter being partially broken away.

Fig. 2 is a partially broken side elevation thereof, and showing the position of certain parts of the device when the doors of the container are in an open position.

Fig. 3 is a broken top plan View of the embod-l iment.

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic view of the embodiment showing the outline of the frame structure in broken lines, the various sheaves and their relative positions in full lines and the cables in dot and dash lines. 1

Figs. 5, 6 and 7 are diagrammatic views similar to Fig. 4 but show various modifications in the construction of the device.

Fig. 8 is a side diagrammatic view of the embodiment shown in Fig. 7.

Referring now to said drawings by reference numerals, the embodiment, as at present preferred, inciudes a frame structure 10 and a block 11 suspended thereabove, said frame structure and block being carried by a pair of cables 12 and 13 which pass over sheaves 14 at the upper end of the boom 15 of a conventional crane or derrick, the latter structure not being illustrated in the drawings.

The frame structure pivotally mounts a plurality of sheaves, the specic uses and relative positions oi which are illustrated in `Fig. 4. In Figs. 1, 2 and 3 I have set forth the preferred construction oi the frame structure which includes a pair of spaced rectangular frames 16, each of which is constructed preferably of four lengths of angle iron, secured together at their terminals by means of brackets 17. The horizontal portions of the lower and side pieces of angle iron on each frame are preferably turned inwards whereas the horizontal portion 13 of the upper piece 19 (Fig. 2) is preferably turned outwards in order to provide a larger space between the two parallel upper pieces. The two frames are preferably spaced further apart at the base portion thereof than at the upper portion, as illustrated in 2, in order to provide more area ior the sheaves, etc., are mounted at the bottom. The upper portions of the frames are secured together in their spaced position by means of a rectanguiar plate 20 at each end thereof, and at the lower portion by means of angle bars 21.

A relatively large sheave 23 is carried on a horizontal shaft 24, the latter being journalled within a bearing box which comprises a pair of vertical brackets 25 and 26, secured at their lower ends to a cross piece (not illustrated) which extends between the two lower horizontal members of the spaced frames. The upper portions 25 and 26' of the brackets 25 and 26 diverge outwardly and are secured to the vertical members of the fra-me structure at 27 and 28. An angle bracket 29 is secured between the two brackets 25 and 26 at the point where they diverge in order to provide additional reinforcement. It will be clearly seen that the bracket members serve as a reinforcement for the frame as well as a journal for the shaft 24.

A pair of diagonal sheaves 31 and 32 are journailed in bracket members 33 and 34, each of which are secured at their lower ends to the cross pieces 21 at the lower extreme corners of the frame structure, and at their upper ends to the portions 25 and 26 respectively of the brackets 25 and 26 slightly above the point of divergence.

Another pair of vertical sheaves i 5 and 36 are journalled in brackets 37 and 38 which are secured at their inner ends to the vertical brackets 25 and 26 and at their upper ends to the diagonal brackets 33 and 34 at a point substantially way between the terminals thereof.

The end portions or" the frame struct-ure are provided at their lower edges with a pair of small sheaves or cable rollers 39 and 40 and at their upper edges with a pair of sheave casings 41 and 42, respectively, said sheave casings being secured to the upper rectangular plates 2G and providing journal means for pivotally mounting a pair of sheaves 43 and 44, respectively.

The upper angle bars 19 or" the frame members 16 are provided with brackets 45 in the center thereof, said brackets having apertures 45 through which the cable 13 may pass, said brackets functioning as a guide for the cable 13.

The block l1 is provided with upper and lower bifurcated end portions 46 and 47 respectively, the former being preferably wider than the latter and at right angles thereto. A shaft 4S, carrying a sheave 49 is journalled in the upper end portions and a shaft 50 carrying a sheave 51 is journailed in the lower end portions.

The entire frame structure l0 is supported by means of the cable 13 which passes over one of the sheaves 14 at the upper end of the boom 15, through one of the cable guide brackets 4.5, under the central Vertical sheave 23, back upwards through the opposite cable guide bracket 45 and up to a point, designated as 53, near the upper end of the boom, where said cable is suitably secured at a dead end. Thus the frame structure may be raised or lowered by means of raising or lowering cable 13.

The frame structure is provided with a pair of short cables 54 and 55, respectively, the former passing over the diagonal sheave 31 and over the cable rollers 39 and 40, on one side of the frame, and the latter passing over the diagonal sheave 32 and over the opposite cable roller 39 and 40 on the opposite end of the frame structure. Each of the cables 54 and 55 are provided with a pair of hooks 56 on their ends, said hooks being adapted to engage the eyes 57 on the merchandise container 58. Thus, when the container is elevated the cables 54 and 55 Will seek their proper position in reference to the sheaves 31 and 32 by virtue of the weight of the container.

The second hoisting cable 12 likewise passes over one of the sheaves 14 at the upper end of the boom, under the sheave 49 and back to a point designated as 58 near the Lipper end of the boom where it is secured at a dead end.

Another fairly long cable 60, having hooks 61 at its terminals, passes at its center, over the lower sheave 51 in the block 11, under the pair of vertical sheaves 35 and 36 and over the pair of sheaves 43 and 44. The hooks at the ends of this cable are adapted to engage the rings 62 at the end of the chains 63 which are secured at their lower ends to the pair of doors 64 at the base of the container, said chains conventionally passing through a conduit member 65 on the inner side of the container.

When it is desired to remove a container from a car and deposit its load, the boom on the derrick supporting the handling device is swung into position above the container and the cables 12 and 13 lowered, thereby positioning the device immediately above the container. The hooks 56 on the cables 54 and 55 are engaged in the supporting eyes 57 at the corners of the container. The hooks 6l at the ends of the cable 60 are then engaged in the rings 62 at the upper terminals of the door closing chains 63. The derrick operator then draws in on the hoist cable 12, thereby raising the block 11 and taking all the slack out of the cable 60 secured to the door closing chains 63. This done, the operator draws in on the hoist cable 13, thereby raising the frame structure, until the slack is out of the short cables 54 and 55. The frame structure, together with the container, is now ready to be raised and the operator desirably locks the two cable-hoist drums upon which the cables are secured, in order to insure the even hoisting of the two lines.'

When the container is positioned over the loca'- tion where the load is to be deposited the doors may be opened either by drawing in on the hoist cable 13, thereby raising the frame structure and the container, causing the doors to open, or by lowering the hoist cable 12, thereby releasing the cable which normally maintains the doors in a closed position.

The structure set forth in the diagram in Fig. 5 is similar to the preferred embodiment in that it includes a frame structure l0', a central vertical frame hoisting sheave 23', two pair of sheaves 35 and 36', and 43 and 44 on the door closing cable 60', and a block member 11 having a pair of opposed pulleys 49 and 51. This embodiment is adapted, however, for a slightly different container which is provided with two eyes for suspending itself, rather than the four eyes at opposite corners as in the container shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The two eyes are positioned on opposite sides of the upper central portion of the container, said two eyes being engaged by a pair of hooks 67 at opposite ends of a cable 68, the latter passing over sheaves 69 and 70 at each end of the lower portion of the frame structure and under a lower central sheave 71. Thus, with this type of container the single cable functions precisely the v same as the pair of cables 54 and 55 in the preferred embodiment, the cable 68 being equalized by the weight of the container,

The structure set forth in Fig. 6 is similar to that shown in Fig. 5 except that the frame 10 is provided with a pair of fixed cables 72 and 73 secured to each side of the lower portion of the frame structure. said cables having hooks 74 at their lower terminals. The employment of the fixed cables instead of the equalizing cables makes for a simpler and less expensive structure which is almost as effective as the other. In this diagram the upper pair of sheaves 43 and 44" are positioned just inside of the frame structure rather than on the outside thereof as in the preferred embodiment, the position of said sheaves in this instance being better suited for yet another type of container.

In Figs. 7 and 8 another modification in the construction of the device is illustrated in diagrammatic form. In this instance a frame structure 75, similar to that shown in the preferred embodiment, is provided, the frame structure beiwf supported by means of a single hoist cable 76, secured to the upper portion of the frame Y" structure at 77, the container supporting cables,

designated as 72 and 73', and having hooks 74 at their lower terminals, are similar to those provided in the structure set forth in Fig. 6, although said container cables could be similar to those employed in Figs. e or 5 as well. The following means, however, are employed for the door-closing cables. A double or multiple drum having a smaller drum member 78 and a larger drum member 79, is pivotaily secured in a vertical position within the frame structure 75, a hoisting cable 80 being secured to the smaller drum member 78 and being wound several times therearound in order that when said cable is drawn upwards the drum will be given a few revolutions. A pair of independent, door-closing cables 81 and 82 pass over a pair of opposed sheaves 83 and 84, respectively, pivetally positioned at the opposite upper portions of the frame structure. The cable 81 is given a number of turns around one side of the f larger drum member 79 and is secured thereto at a point designated as 85. Likewise the opposite cable is wound around the opposite side of the larger drum and is secured thereto at a point designated as 86. Thus, when it is desired to raise the container 58 and maintain its lower doors in a closed position, the cable 76 is hoisted sumciently so that the container cables 72' and 73', which are to be secured to the eyes on the container, as described elsewhere, are taut. The cable 80 is then'hoisted, causing the drum members 78 and 79 to revolve, thereby winding the cables 81 and 82 'on the larger drum member and taking up the slack in the door-closing chains 63. When the chains are taut the two hoisting drums on the derrick, to which the cables 76 and 80 are secured, are locked and drawn upwards together, thereby retaining the doors in a closed position. It will be appreciated that the cable 80 could be secured to the larger drum and the cables 81 and 82 to the smaller, depending upon the weight of the load to be raised. Also, both drum members could be of the same size, as desired.

Considerable particularities of description, as to materials, part details, capacities and utilities may have been herein indulged in, but it will be understood that these statements, made with particular reference to that one, and the one now preferred, of the many possible embodiments of the invention which is illustrated in the drawings, are not in any way to be taken as definitive or limitative of the invention. Inasmuch as many apparently widely different embodiments of the invention could be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in any limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the language in the following claims is intended to cover all the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

In other words, the scope of protection contemplated is to be taken solely from the appended claims, interpreted as broadly as is consistent with the prior art.

What I claim is:

1. In an apparatus for use with a crane, derrick and the like for handling merchandise containers having hinged bottom `doors and means for operating such doors, a suspension frame, cables on said frame for suspending the merchandise container, a hoisting cable associated with said suspension frame, a draw cable for attachment to said bottom door operating means, a plurality of guide sheaves on said suspension frame, said draw cable extending around said guide sheaves,

a main door closing cable associated with the .l crane and a sheave suspended from said main door closing cable for supporting said draw cable. 2. In an apparatus for use with a crane, derrick and the like for handling merchandise containers having hinged bottom doors and means for opertachment to said bottom door operating means,

a plurality of guide sheaves on said suspension said draw cable, whereby said door closing cable and said hoisting cable are operable conjointly and independently in association with the crane.

3. An apparatus as set forth in claim 2 in Which the container suspension means include a pair of sheaves supported in the suspension frame, a suspension cable supported by each of said suspension sheaves, the free ends of each of the suspension cables including means for attachment to the merchandise container.

4. An apparatus as set forth in claim 2 in which the suspension frame includes a main hoisting cable sheave supported by the hoisting cable, said hoisting cable being operatively connected to the crane.

JAMES A. FORSYTHE. 

